Quiet ACs

Which Air Conditioners are the Quietest?

Due to the fact that air conditioners run all the time in South Florida,
having a quiet air conditioner is an important quality. Of course, any
air conditioner is going to make some level of noise. The type of air
conditioner that makes the least amount of noise is the
ductless air conditioner. Since the compressor is outside, you experience the least amount of noise
inside your home. If you have air conditioner questions, our NATE-certified
technicians at Cousin's Air, Inc. are always happy to consult with you and help
you make the best choice on the type of air conditioner that is best for
your cooling needs.

Is a Quiet Air Conditioner the Best for Your Home?

An air conditioner’s quiet operation shouldn’t be the only
factor that you look at when choosing an air conditioner for your home.
Newer air conditioners are engineered to be quieter. Take the time to
research the different kinds of air conditioners and weigh the pros and
then cons for each type of unit. Do not fall for the misconception that
a smaller air conditioner unit will make less noise. An air conditioner
that is too small for your home will have to work too hard to keep your
home a comfortable, might not cool your home enough in the summer, and
will cost more in the long run for working too hard. All of the time that
it spends operating means that it will likely not be a very quiet air
conditioner.

Quiet Window Air Conditioners

Most of the time when there is a concern about air conditioners quiet operation
it is about window air conditioners. Window air conditioners are used
to cool off a smaller space and some models can run louder than others.
Since window air conditioners cost significantly less than central air
or ductless air conditioners, dealing with the noise level when operating
is one of the tradeoffs.

Quiet Ductless Air Conditioners

Ductless air conditioners are the quietest operating of all the types of
air conditioners. Since the compressor is outside and ducts do not run
through the entire home, the noise level during operation is greatly reduced.

Quiet Central Air Conditioners

Central air conditioners have some noise associated with them, but it is
more of a hum when running than a loud noise. In most cases, it is a noise
that home owners get used to. There are a few things you can do make your
central air conditioner operate quiet. Insulate the closet where the inside
portion of the air conditioner is kept to reduce noise from the portion
of the unit that is inside the house. To make the outside parts of the
air conditioner sound quieter, you can build an air conditioner fence
around it. This can also help protect the outside parts of the air conditioner
from damage from debris.

What Parts of the Air Conditioner Make Noise?

HANDLER: The air handler has the fan motor in it. Variable fan motors are
usually quieter than single speed fan motors. Other factors that affect
the noise level of the air handler include the location, location of blower
motor (top-mounted is quieter), insulation, and cabinet construction.

CONDENSING UNIT: The condensing unit also has a fan motor in it. The type
of fan motor makes a difference in the noise factor. As with the air handler,
the variable speed fan motor is quieter than single speed fan motors.
Other factors that affect the noise rating of the condensing unit include
the fan blade design, whether or not there is a compressor jacket, and
what the decibel rating is. The compressor also affects the level of noise
= 1-stage (loudest) 2-stage (mid-range) variable (quietest).